Isn't it nice when things just ... work?

A long time since I've watched this ad for Honda Accord.  My brother in New Zealand  just sent me a link to the clip and I thought it would be worth sharing.  I can watch it repeatedly and still be amazed. 

And you thought those people that set up roomfuls of dominos to knock over were amazing. Well, people, let me tell you:  there are absolutely no computer graphics or digital tricks in the film clip you are about to watch. Everything you see really happened in real time exactly as you see it.

The film took 606 takes. On the first 605 takes, something, usually very minor, didn't work. They would then have to set the whole thing up again. The crew spent weeks shooting night and day. By the time it was over, some people in the crew were ready to change professions.  The film took three months to complete. It is two minutes long. It cost a reputed six million dollars to produce--including engineering.

However, this clip is fast becoming the most downloaded advertisement in Internet history.  Honda executives figure the ad will soon pay for itself simply in "free viewings" (Honda isn't paying a dime to have you watch this commercial!).
When the ad was pitched to senior executives, they signed off on it immediately without any hesitation - including the estimated costs.

There are six and only six  "hand-made"  Honda Accords in the world. To the horror of Honda  engineers, the filmmakers disassembled two of them to make the film.
Everything you see in the film (aside from the walls, floor, ramp, and complete Honda Accord)  are parts from those two hand-made cars.

The voiceover is Garrison Keillor. When the ad was shown to Honda executives, they liked it and commented on how amazing computer graphics have gotten.
They fell off their chairs when they found out there were no graphics. It was for real!

Oh, and about those funky windshield wipers. On the new Accords, the windshield wipers have water sensors and are designed to start doing their thing automatically as soon as they become wet.

 You have to be in awe of these guys!

Comments

[Bruce]

Hi Dave,
most of the cars now have automatic windscreen (still very impressive though).
It reminds me of the free advertising of the John West ad (which nearly got binned by execs), rediculously funny ad where a guy fights a bear for fresh fish.
Bruce